JP2018187869A - Image formation apparatus - Google Patents

Image formation apparatus Download PDF

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JP2018187869A
JP2018187869A JP2017093301A JP2017093301A JP2018187869A JP 2018187869 A JP2018187869 A JP 2018187869A JP 2017093301 A JP2017093301 A JP 2017093301A JP 2017093301 A JP2017093301 A JP 2017093301A JP 2018187869 A JP2018187869 A JP 2018187869A
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image data
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writing
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明彦 伊ヶ崎
Akihiko Igasaki
明彦 伊ヶ崎
林　京一郎
Kyoichiro Hayashi
京一郎 林
俊太郎 辻
Shuntaro Tsuji
俊太郎 辻
正登 丹波
Masato Tanba
正登 丹波
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Kyocera Document Solutions Inc
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    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1218—Reducing or saving of used resources, e.g. avoiding waste of consumables or improving usage of hardware resources
    • G06F3/122—Reducing or saving of used resources, e.g. avoiding waste of consumables or improving usage of hardware resources with regard to computing resources, e.g. memory, CPU
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1203—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management
    • G06F3/1208—Improving or facilitating administration, e.g. print management resulting in improved quality of the output result, e.g. print layout, colours, workflows, print preview
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1202—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to achieve a particular effect
    • G06F3/1211—Improving printing performance
    • G06F3/1212—Improving printing performance achieving reduced delay between job submission and print start
    • G06F3/1213—Improving printing performance achieving reduced delay between job submission and print start at an intermediate node or at the final node
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1229—Printer resources management or printer maintenance, e.g. device status, power levels
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1223—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to use a particular technique
    • G06F3/1237—Print job management
    • G06F3/1244—Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding
    • G06F3/1247—Job translation or job parsing, e.g. page banding by conversion to printer ready format
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06F—ELECTRIC DIGITAL DATA PROCESSING
    • G06F3/00—Input arrangements for transferring data to be processed into a form capable of being handled by the computer; Output arrangements for transferring data from processing unit to output unit, e.g. interface arrangements
    • G06F3/12—Digital output to print unit, e.g. line printer, chain printer
    • G06F3/1201—Dedicated interfaces to print systems
    • G06F3/1278—Dedicated interfaces to print systems specifically adapted to adopt a particular infrastructure
    • G06F3/1285—Remote printer device, e.g. being remote from client or server
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N1/00—Scanning, transmission or reproduction of documents or the like, e.g. facsimile transmission; Details thereof
    • H04N1/00002—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for
    • H04N1/00071—Diagnosis, testing or measuring; Detecting, analysing or monitoring not otherwise provided for characterised by the action taken
    • H04N1/0009—Storage
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K15/00—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers
    • G06K15/02—Arrangements for producing a permanent visual presentation of the output data, e.g. computer output printers using printers
    • G06K15/18—Conditioning data for presenting it to the physical printing elements
    • G06K15/1835—Transforming generic data
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Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an image formation apparatus which properly selects any of a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device such as SSD as the storage device of the storage destination of printing image data received from the outside.SOLUTION: A printing request reception unit 21 receives a printing request including print page number and printing image data from an external device, selects any of RAM 16 and a data storage device 17 as a storage device for writing the printing image data on the basis of the print page number, and writes the printing image data to the selected RAM 16 or the data storage device 17. A printing processing unit 22 reads the printing image data from the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 to execute the printing processing on the basis of the printing image data.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 1

Description

本発明は、画像形成装置に関するものである。   The present invention relates to an image forming apparatus.

ある画像形成装置は、画像データのデータサイズに基づいて、画像データを書き込む領域がＲＡＭ（Random Access Memory）にある場合には、画像データをＲＡＭに書き込み、画像データを書き込む領域がＲＡＭにはない場合には、画像データをストレージデバイスに書き込んでいる（例えば特許文献１参照）。   An image forming apparatus writes image data into the RAM and does not have an area for writing image data when the area for writing the image data is in a RAM (Random Access Memory) based on the data size of the image data. In this case, image data is written in the storage device (see, for example, Patent Document 1).

特開２００９−５５４５７号公報JP 2009-55457 A

しかしながら、上述の画像形成装置の場合、画像データの終端が特定され、画像データ全体のサイズが特定されるまで、画像データをＲＡＭおよびストレージデバイスのどちらに書き込むのかを決定することは困難である。   However, in the case of the above-described image forming apparatus, it is difficult to determine whether the image data is written to the RAM or the storage device until the end of the image data is specified and the size of the entire image data is specified.

例えば、画像形成装置が、ホスト装置などの外部装置から印刷画像データを含む印刷要求を受け付ける場合、印刷画像データ全体の受け付けが完了するまでは、印刷画像データをＲＡＭおよびストレージデバイスのどちらに書き込むのかを決定できない。そのため、そのような場合には、印刷画像データは、一律に、ストレージデバイスに格納されることになる。   For example, when the image forming apparatus accepts a print request including print image data from an external device such as a host device, whether the print image data is written to the RAM or the storage device until the acceptance of the entire print image data is completed. Cannot be determined. Therefore, in such a case, the print image data is uniformly stored in the storage device.

一般的に、ストレージデバイスのリード／ライトの速度はＲＡＭより低いため、印刷画像データを書き込む領域がＲＡＭにあるにも拘わらず、ストレージデバイスに印刷画像データを書き込んだ場合、印刷処理が遅延してしまう。また、ストレージデバイスが、ＮＡＮＤフラッシュメモリーを使用したＳＳＤ（Solid State Drive）などである場合、書き込み回数が増加するため、ストレージデバイスの劣化が早まってしまう。   In general, since the read / write speed of the storage device is lower than that of the RAM, the print processing is delayed when the print image data is written to the storage device even though the print image data is written in the RAM. End up. In addition, when the storage device is an SSD (Solid State Drive) using a NAND flash memory, the number of writing increases, so that the storage device deteriorates earlier.

本発明は、上記の問題に鑑みてなされたものであり、外部から受信される印刷画像データを格納先の記憶装置として、主記憶装置および補助記憶装置のいずれかを適切に選択する画像形成装置を得ることを目的とする。   The present invention has been made in view of the above problems, and an image forming apparatus that appropriately selects either a main storage device or an auxiliary storage device using print image data received from the outside as a storage device of a storage destination The purpose is to obtain.

本発明に係る画像形成装置は、主記憶装置と、補助記憶装置と、外部装置から印刷ページ数および印刷画像データを含む印刷要求を受信し、前記印刷ページ数に基づいて、前記主記憶装置および前記補助記憶装置のいずれかを、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、選択した前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置に前記印刷画像データを書き込む印刷要求受信部と、前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置から前記印刷画像データを読み出して前記印刷画像データに基づく印刷処理を実行する印刷処理部とを備える。   An image forming apparatus according to the present invention receives a print request including a print page number and print image data from a main storage device, an auxiliary storage device, and an external device, and based on the print page number, the main storage device and A print request receiving unit that selects any one of the auxiliary storage devices as a storage device to which the print image data is written and writes the print image data to the selected main storage device or the auxiliary storage device, and the main storage device or A print processing unit that reads the print image data from the auxiliary storage device and executes a print process based on the print image data.

本発明によれば、外部から受信される印刷画像データを格納先の記憶装置として、主記憶装置および補助記憶装置のいずれかを適切に選択する画像形成装置が得られる。   According to the present invention, it is possible to obtain an image forming apparatus that appropriately selects one of a main storage device and an auxiliary storage device using print image data received from outside as a storage device as a storage destination.

本発明の上記又は他の目的、特徴および優位性は、添付の図面とともに以下の詳細な説明から更に明らかになる。   These and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る画像形成装置の構成を示すブロック図である。FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention. 図２は、図１に示す画像形成装置１の動作を説明するフローチャートである。FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

以下、図に基づいて本発明の実施の形態を説明する。   Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

図１は、本発明の実施の形態に係る画像形成装置の構成を示すブロック図である。   FIG. 1 is a block diagram showing a configuration of an image forming apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention.

図１に示す画像形成装置１は、ネットワーク２に接続されており、ネットワーク２にはホスト装置３が接続されている。図１に示す画像形成装置１は、プリンター、複合機などの画像形成装置であり、印刷用紙に画像の印刷を行う印刷装置１１を備える。ネットワーク２は、ＬＡＮ（Local Area Network）および／またはＷＡＮ（Wide Area Network）である。ホスト装置３は、ネットワーク２を介して、印刷要求を画像形成装置１に送信する。   An image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG. 1 is connected to a network 2, and a host device 3 is connected to the network 2. An image forming apparatus 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is an image forming apparatus such as a printer or a multifunction peripheral, and includes a printing apparatus 11 that prints an image on printing paper. The network 2 is a LAN (Local Area Network) and / or a WAN (Wide Area Network). The host apparatus 3 transmits a print request to the image forming apparatus 1 via the network 2.

また、画像形成装置１は、操作パネル１２およびネットワークインターフェイス１３を備える。操作パネル１２は、ユーザー操作を検出する入力装置、およびユーザーに対して各種情報を表示する表示装置を備える。ネットワークインターフェイス１３は、ネットワーク２に接続され、ホスト装置３などとデータ通信可能な通信装置である。   The image forming apparatus 1 also includes an operation panel 12 and a network interface 13. The operation panel 12 includes an input device that detects a user operation and a display device that displays various types of information to the user. The network interface 13 is a communication device connected to the network 2 and capable of data communication with the host device 3 and the like.

さらに、画像形成装置１は、コンピューターとして、ＣＰＵ（Central Processing Unit）などのプロセッサー１４、不揮発性メモリーであるＲＯＭ（Read Only Memory）１５、および揮発性メモリーであるＲＡＭ１６などを備え、さらに、ＲＡＭ１６に比べ大容量で低速な、ＳＳＤなどであるデータ格納装置１７を備える。つまり、データ格納装置１７は、ＮＡＮＤフラッシュメモリーを使用した記憶装置である。   Further, the image forming apparatus 1 includes, as a computer, a processor 14 such as a CPU (Central Processing Unit), a ROM (Read Only Memory) 15 that is a nonvolatile memory, a RAM 16 that is a volatile memory, and the like. A data storage device 17 such as an SSD is provided which has a large capacity and a low speed. That is, the data storage device 17 is a storage device using a NAND flash memory.

ここでは、ＲＡＭ１６が、主記憶装置であり、データ格納装置１７が、補助記憶装置である。   Here, the RAM 16 is a main storage device, and the data storage device 17 is an auxiliary storage device.

プロセッサー１４は、ＲＯＭ１５、データ格納装置１７などに記憶されたプログラムをＲＡＭ１６にロードして実行し、印刷要求受信部２１、印刷処理部２２などとして動作する。   The processor 14 loads a program stored in the ROM 15, the data storage device 17, and the like into the RAM 16 and executes it, and operates as a print request receiving unit 21, a print processing unit 22, and the like.

印刷要求受信部２１は、ネットワークインターフェイス１３を使用して、ホスト装置３などの外部装置から印刷ページ数および印刷画像データを含む印刷要求を受信し、印刷ページ数に基づいて、ＲＡＭ１６およびデータ格納装置１７のいずれかを、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、選択したＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７に印刷画像データを書き込む。なお、印刷要求において、例えば、印刷ページ数は、印刷画像データより先頭側に配置されており、印刷画像データを受信する前に、印刷ページ数を特定することができる。   The print request receiving unit 21 uses the network interface 13 to receive a print request including the number of print pages and print image data from an external device such as the host device 3. Based on the number of print pages, the RAM 16 and the data storage device 17 is selected as a storage device for writing print image data, and the print image data is written into the selected RAM 16 or data storage device 17. In the print request, for example, the number of print pages is arranged at the head of the print image data, and the print page number can be specified before receiving the print image data.

具体的には、印刷要求受信部２１は、印刷ページ数が所定の閾値以下である場合、ＲＡＭ１６を、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、印刷ページ数が所定の閾値を超える場合、データ格納装置１７を、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択する。   Specifically, the print request receiving unit 21 selects the RAM 16 as a storage device to which the print image data is written when the number of print pages is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and when the number of print pages exceeds the predetermined threshold, The storage device 17 is selected as a storage device for writing print image data.

なお、印刷要求受信部２１は、ＲＡＭ１６を、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択した場合において、ＲＡＭ１６への印刷画像データの書込を試みたところ、印刷画像データを書き込むためのＲＡＭ１６の空き領域が不足しているときには、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置をデータ格納装置１７に切り替えて、データ格納装置１７への印刷画像データの書込を行う。   When the print request reception unit 21 attempts to write the print image data to the RAM 16 when the RAM 16 is selected as a storage device to which the print image data is written, an empty area of the RAM 16 for writing the print image data. Is insufficient, the storage device for writing the print image data is switched to the data storage device 17 and the print image data is written to the data storage device 17.

印刷要求受信部２１は、上述の閾値を、現時点のＲＡＭ１６の空き容量を基準ページデータサイズで除算して導出する。基準ページデータサイズは、１ページあたり印刷画像データのデータサイズの標準値であり、実験などで予め特定され、また、後述のようにして調整される。   The print request receiving unit 21 derives the above threshold by dividing the current free space in the RAM 16 by the reference page data size. The reference page data size is a standard value of the data size of the print image data per page, is specified in advance through experiments or the like, and is adjusted as described below.

印刷要求受信部２１は、印刷画像データを書き込むためのＲＡＭ１６の空き領域の不足が所定回数発生するたびに、基準ページデータサイズを増加させる。   The print request receiving unit 21 increases the reference page data size every time a shortage of a free area in the RAM 16 for writing print image data occurs a predetermined number of times.

例えば、印刷要求受信部２１は、ＲＡＭ１６の空き領域の不足の発生回数ＮｍｆとＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７への印刷画像データの書込回数Ｎとの比に基づいて、例えば、次式に従って、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆを増加させて更新する。なお、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆは整数とされる。   For example, based on the ratio of the number Nmf of occurrences of insufficient free space in the RAM 16 and the number N of times print image data is written to the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17, the print request receiving unit 21, for example, according to the following formula: The page data size PSref is increased and updated. The reference page data size PSref is an integer.

ＰＳｒｅｆ＝ＰＳｒｅｆ×（１＋Ｎｍｆ／Ｎ）   PSref = PSref × (1 + Nmf / N)

例えば、印刷画像データの書込回数Ｎが１００回である場合において、ＲＡＭ１６の空き領域が１００ＭＢであり、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆが１０ＭＢであり、印刷画像データの書込回数Ｎの期間におけるＲＡＭ１６の空き領域の不足の発生回数Ｎｍｆが１０回であった場合、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆは、１１ＭＢ（＝１０＋（１＋１０／１００））に更新され、印刷ページ数の閾値は、１０ページから９ページ（＝１００ＭＢ／１１ＭＢ）へ更新される。   For example, when the print image data write count N is 100, the free area of the RAM 16 is 100 MB, the reference page data size PSref is 10 MB, and the print image data write count N is in the period of the print image data write N. When the number of occurrences of insufficient free space Nmf is 10, the reference page data size PSref is updated to 11 MB (= 10 + (1 + 10/100)), and the threshold for the number of printed pages is 10 to 9 pages ( = 100 MB / 11 MB).

また、印刷要求受信部２１は、所定期間におけるデータ格納装置１７に対する書込回数が所定値（基準書込回数Ｎｗｒｅｆ）を超えている場合、基準ページデータサイズを増加させる。   The print request receiving unit 21 increases the reference page data size when the number of writes to the data storage device 17 in a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined value (reference write number Nwref).

具体的には、印刷要求受信部２１は、所定期間ごとに、データ格納装置１７の製品寿命書込回数に基づく所定期間における基準書込回数Ｎｗｒｅｆと所定期間におけるデータ格納装置１７に対する書込回数Ｎｗｓとの比に基づいて、例えば次式のように、基準ページデータサイズを減少させて更新する。   Specifically, the print request receiving unit 21 performs the reference writing number Nwref in the predetermined period based on the product life writing number of the data storage device 17 and the writing number Nws in the data storage device 17 in the predetermined period for each predetermined period. Based on the ratio, the reference page data size is reduced and updated as in the following equation, for example.

ＰＳｒｅｆ＝ＰＳｒｅｆ×Ｎｗｒｅｆ／Ｎｗｓ   PSref = PSref × Nwref / Nws

ここで、例えば、基準書込回数は、既知の製品寿命書込回数ＮｗＬに、上述の所定期間の長さＴと既知の製品寿命時間ＴｗＬとの比（Ｔ／ＴｗＬ）を乗じて得られる。   Here, for example, the reference writing number is obtained by multiplying the known product life writing number NwL by the ratio (T / TwL) of the above-mentioned predetermined period length T and the known product life time TwL.

例えば、ＲＡＭ１６の空き領域が１００ＭＢであり、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆが１０ＭＢであり、基準書込回数Ｎｗｒｅｆが１００００回であり、データ格納装置１７への書込回数Ｎｗｓが２００００回であった場合、基準ページデータサイズＰＳｒｅｆは、５ＭＢ（＝１０×１００００／２００００）に更新され、印刷ページ数の閾値は、１０ページから２０ページ（＝１００ＭＢ／５ＭＢ）へ更新される。   For example, when the free area of the RAM 16 is 100 MB, the reference page data size PSref is 10 MB, the reference write count Nwref is 10,000, and the write count Nws to the data storage device 17 is 20000, The reference page data size PSref is updated to 5 MB (= 10 × 10000/20000), and the threshold for the number of printed pages is updated from 10 pages to 20 pages (= 100 MB / 5 MB).

なお、印刷要求受信部２１は、データ格納装置１７に対する書込回数（全期間での書込回数）がデータ格納装置１７の製品寿命書込回数を超えている場合には、印刷ページ数に拘わらず、ＲＡＭ１６を、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択するようにしてもよい。   Note that the print request receiving unit 21 is concerned with the number of print pages when the number of writes to the data storage device 17 (the number of writes over the entire period) exceeds the product life write count of the data storage device 17. Instead, the RAM 16 may be selected as a storage device for writing print image data.

また、印刷処理部２２は、ＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７から印刷画像データを読み出して印刷画像データに基づく印刷処理を実行する。   The print processing unit 22 reads print image data from the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 and executes a print process based on the print image data.

この画像形成装置１では、複数部数の印刷を行う部数印刷が可能である。また、この画像形成装置１は、電子ソート機能を有し、複数ページの一連の原稿をＮ部印刷する場合、各ページがＮ回連続して印刷されるのではなく、一連の原稿がＮ回繰り返し印刷される。部数印刷の場合、印刷処理部２２は、印刷画像データを、選択したＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７から読み出し、第２部およびそれ以降の部の印刷を実行する。   In the image forming apparatus 1, it is possible to perform the number of copies printing that performs printing of a plurality of copies. In addition, the image forming apparatus 1 has an electronic sorting function, and when printing a series of documents of a plurality of pages N times, each page is printed N times instead of printing each page N times continuously. Printed repeatedly. In the case of printing the number of copies, the print processing unit 22 reads the print image data from the selected RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 and executes the printing of the second and subsequent copies.

なお、印刷処理部２２は、印刷画像データに対して、色変換、スクリーニング処理などの画像処理を実行し、画像処理後の印刷画像データに基づいて、印刷装置１１を制御して印刷装置１１に印刷を実行させる。   Note that the print processing unit 22 performs image processing such as color conversion and screening processing on the print image data, and controls the printing apparatus 11 based on the print image data after the image processing to the printing apparatus 11. Start printing.

次に、上記画像形成装置１の動作について説明する。図２は、図１に示す画像形成装置１の動作を説明するフローチャートである。   Next, the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 will be described. FIG. 2 is a flowchart for explaining the operation of the image forming apparatus 1 shown in FIG.

印刷要求受信部２１は、部数印刷の印刷要求の受信を開始した後、印刷要求内の印刷ページ数を受信した時点でその印刷ページ数を特定する（ステップＳ１）。   The print request receiving unit 21 specifies the number of print pages when receiving the number of print pages in the print request after starting to receive the print request for the number of copies printing (step S1).

そして、印刷ページ数を特定すると、ただちに、印刷要求受信部２１は、特定した印刷ページ数が所定の閾値以下であるか否かを判定する（ステップＳ２）。   When the number of print pages is specified, the print request reception unit 21 immediately determines whether the specified number of print pages is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold (step S2).

特定した印刷ページ数が所定の閾値以下である場合には、印刷要求受信部２１は、印刷要求（印刷画像データを含む）をＲＡＭ１６に書き込む（ステップＳ３）。   If the specified number of print pages is equal to or less than the predetermined threshold, the print request receiving unit 21 writes a print request (including print image data) in the RAM 16 (step S3).

一方、特定した印刷ページ数が所定の閾値以下ではない場合には、印刷要求受信部２１は、印刷要求（印刷画像データを含む）をデータ格納装置１７に書き込む（ステップＳ４）。   On the other hand, if the specified number of printed pages is not less than or equal to the predetermined threshold, the print request receiving unit 21 writes a print request (including print image data) in the data storage device 17 (step S4).

そして、印刷処理部２２は、ＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７に書き込まれた印刷画像データを適宜読み出して、印刷装置１１を使用して、部数印刷を実行する（ステップＳ５）。   Then, the print processing unit 22 appropriately reads out the print image data written in the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17, and executes the number of copies using the printing device 11 (step S5).

印刷処理部２２は、部数印刷の完了後、ＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７における印刷画像データを消去する（ステップＳ６）。   After completing the number of copies printing, the print processing unit 22 deletes the print image data in the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 (step S6).

以上のように、上記実施の形態によれば、印刷要求受信部２１は、外部装置から印刷ページ数および印刷画像データを含む印刷要求を受信し、印刷ページ数に基づいて、ＲＡＭ１６およびデータ格納装置１７のいずれかを、印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、選択したＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７に印刷画像データを書き込む。印刷処理部２２は、ＲＡＭ１６またはデータ格納装置１７から印刷画像データを読み出して印刷画像データに基づく印刷処理を実行する。   As described above, according to the above embodiment, the print request receiving unit 21 receives a print request including the number of print pages and print image data from an external device, and the RAM 16 and the data storage device based on the number of print pages. 17 is selected as a storage device for writing print image data, and the print image data is written into the selected RAM 16 or data storage device 17. The print processing unit 22 reads print image data from the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 and executes a print process based on the print image data.

これにより、外部から受信される印刷画像データを格納先の記憶装置として、ＲＡＭ１６およびＳＳＤなどのデータ格納装置１７のいずれかが適切に選択される。したがって、印刷画像データのリード／ライトに起因する印刷の遅延が抑制されるとともに、データ格納装置１７がＳＳＤである場合には、そのＳＳＤの寿命が長くなる。   As a result, either the RAM 16 or the data storage device 17 such as an SSD is appropriately selected with the print image data received from the outside as the storage device of the storage destination. Accordingly, a delay in printing due to read / write of print image data is suppressed, and when the data storage device 17 is an SSD, the life of the SSD is extended.

なお、上述の実施の形態に対する様々な変更および修正については、当業者には明らかである。そのような変更および修正は、その主題の趣旨および範囲から離れることなく、かつ、意図された利点を弱めることなく行われてもよい。つまり、そのような変更および修正が請求の範囲に含まれることを意図している。   Various changes and modifications to the above-described embodiment will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the subject matter and without diminishing its intended advantages. That is, such changes and modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the claims.

本発明は、例えば、画像形成装置に適用可能である。   The present invention is applicable to, for example, an image forming apparatus.

１ 画像形成装置
３ ホスト装置（外部装置の一例）
１６ ＲＡＭ（主記憶装置の一例）
１７ データ格納装置（補助記憶装置の一例）
２１ 印刷要求受信部
２２ 印刷処理部 1 Image forming device 3 Host device (an example of an external device)
16 RAM (an example of a main storage device)
17 Data storage device (an example of auxiliary storage device)
21 Print Request Reception Unit 22 Print Processing Unit

Claims (8)

主記憶装置と、
補助記憶装置と、
外部装置から印刷ページ数および印刷画像データを含む印刷要求を受信し、前記印刷ページ数に基づいて、前記主記憶装置および前記補助記憶装置のいずれかを、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、選択した前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置に前記印刷画像データを書き込む印刷要求受信部と、
前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置から前記印刷画像データを読み出して前記印刷画像データに基づく印刷処理を実行する印刷処理部と、
を備えることを特徴とする画像形成装置。 A main storage device;
An auxiliary storage device;
Receives a print request including the number of print pages and print image data from an external device, and selects either the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device as a storage device for writing the print image data based on the number of print pages A print request receiving unit for writing the print image data to the selected main storage device or the auxiliary storage device;
A print processing unit that reads the print image data from the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device and executes print processing based on the print image data;
An image forming apparatus comprising: 前記印刷処理部は、複数部数の印刷を行う部数印刷の印刷処理を実行する際、前記印刷画像データを、選択した前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置から読み出して、少なくとも第２部の印刷を実行することを特徴とする請求項１記載の画像形成装置。   The print processing unit reads the print image data from the selected main storage device or the auxiliary storage device and executes printing of at least the second copy when executing the print processing of the number of copies that performs printing of a plurality of copies. The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is executed. 前記印刷要求受信部は、前記印刷ページ数が所定の閾値以下である場合、前記主記憶装置を、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、前記印刷ページ数が所定の閾値を超える場合、前記補助記憶装置を、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択し、
前記印刷要求受信部は、前記閾値を、現時点の前記主記憶装置の空き容量を基準ページデータサイズで除算して導出すること、
を特徴とする請求項１または請求項２記載の画像形成装置。 The print request receiving unit selects the main storage device as a storage device to which the print image data is written when the number of print pages is equal to or less than a predetermined threshold, and when the number of print pages exceeds a predetermined threshold, Selecting the auxiliary storage device as a storage device for writing the print image data;
The print request receiving unit derives the threshold by dividing the current free space of the main storage device by a reference page data size;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image forming apparatus is an image forming apparatus. 前記印刷要求受信部は、前記主記憶装置を、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択した場合において、前記印刷画像データを書き込むための前記主記憶装置の空き領域が不足しているときには、（ａ）前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置を前記補助記憶装置に切り替え、（ｂ）前記印刷画像データを書き込むための前記主記憶装置の空き領域の不足が所定回数発生するたびに、前記基準ページデータサイズを増加させることを特徴とする請求項３記載の画像形成装置。   When the print request receiving unit selects the main storage device as a storage device to which the print image data is written, when the free space in the main storage device for writing the print image data is insufficient, a) switching the storage device for writing the print image data to the auxiliary storage device; and (b) the reference page data each time a shortage of free space in the main storage device for writing the print image data occurs a predetermined number of times. 4. The image forming apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the size is increased. 前記印刷要求受信部は、前記主記憶装置の空き領域の不足の発生回数と前記主記憶装置または前記補助記憶装置への前記印刷画像データの書込回数との比に基づいて、前記基準ページデータサイズを増加させることを特徴とする請求項４記載の画像形成装置。   The print request receiving unit is configured to generate the reference page data based on a ratio between the number of occurrences of insufficient free space in the main storage device and the number of times the print image data is written to the main storage device or the auxiliary storage device. The image forming apparatus according to claim 4, wherein the size is increased. 前記補助記憶装置は、ＮＡＮＤフラッシュメモリーを使用した記憶装置であり、
前記印刷要求受信部は、所定期間における前記補助記憶装置に対する書込回数が所定値を超えている場合、前記基準ページデータサイズを減少させること、
を特徴とする請求項３記載の画像形成装置。 The auxiliary storage device is a storage device using a NAND flash memory,
The print request receiving unit reduces the reference page data size when the number of writes to the auxiliary storage device in a predetermined period exceeds a predetermined value;
The image forming apparatus according to claim 3. 前記印刷要求受信部は、前記補助記憶装置の製品寿命書込回数に基づく前記所定期間における基準書込回数と前記所定期間における前記補助記憶装置に対する書込回数との比に基づいて、前記基準ページデータサイズを減少させることを特徴とする請求項６記載の画像形成装置。   The print request receiving unit is configured to generate the reference page based on a ratio between a reference writing number in the predetermined period based on a product life writing number in the auxiliary storage device and a writing number in the auxiliary storage device in the predetermined period. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the data size is reduced. 前記印刷要求受信部は、前記補助記憶装置に対する書込回数が前記補助記憶装置の製品寿命書込回数を超えている場合には、前記印刷ページ数に拘わらず、前記主記憶装置を、前記印刷画像データを書き込む記憶装置として選択することを特徴とする請求項６または請求項７記載の画像形成装置。   When the number of writes to the auxiliary storage device exceeds the number of times of product life writing of the auxiliary storage device, the print request receiving unit causes the main storage device to print the print regardless of the number of printed pages. 8. The image forming apparatus according to claim 6, wherein the image forming apparatus is selected as a storage device for writing image data.
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